Tuesday, September 30, 2008

September 30- Yangshuo


Andy escapes very busy street by going to balcony.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Sunday, September 28, 2008

September 28- Guilin


As close as he'll ever get to the Olympics, I'll wager.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

September 27- Train To Guilin


Capp investigates what punishment his crimes merit.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Thursday, September 25, 2008

September 25- Xidi


"You got me best side?"

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

September 23- Mt Huangshan


Andy and some implausibly named ('2 Cats Preying on a Mouse??) peaks.

Monday, September 22, 2008

September 22- Train To Tunxi


Embroidered woman, flowers, failure etc. You know the drill.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Saturday, September 20, 2008

September 20- Beijing


Andy and bemused rickshaw driver. I hate to be cynical, but this was the only bit of the journey that was financially justifiable.

Friday, September 19, 2008

September 19- Beijing


Andy goes to the Bird's Nest with rightfully low expectations of pulling.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

September 18- Beijing


Andy tries to get banned fae the Forbidden City.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

September 17- Beijing

Capp has all sorts of fun in Tian'anmen Square.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

September 16- Train To Jining


"garble garble Kharkhorin Finland garble". Shut yer face, Andy, we've got seven seconds to get off the train. Thanks for the food, Ayan, and good luck with your studies Amra!!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Leg 3 (Mongolia)- Non-Capp Thoughts

The romance of Mongolia- Chinggis Khan, yaks, and unbelievable quiet. Every cliche nicely fulfilled...

ACCOMMODATION: The ger. Or yurt. Great places, every one unique. They have their limitations though: I have brain damage from the number of times I've belted my head off ger doors. Would I be tall for a Mongolian herder? Probably not, I just lack spacial awareness... The acoustics are astonishing- you can hear every word and every movement made by your sleeping companions through the night, and they also seem to amplify the sound of young Americans 'rattling' their tourguides. Whoever he was, I got the whole thing from start to finish, apology included.

LOCATION: The Gobi desert's supposed to be about as isolated as you can get. Possibly the weirdest moment of the tour took place in Bayanzag, by the flaming cliffs, although I doubt it'll work in transcription. I accidentally put out the candle in the ger, and Claire and I, having no lighter between us, spend a few minutes firing up the paraffin stove to get a light, and all is well again. In walks a half-naked camel keeper (inevitably) named Geregerash, who mutters something about "nice to see you, welcome etc", looks at the candle, buggers about with it, puts it out, and disappears, leaving us in darkness. Large cartoon question marks all round (if we could see them).

HOTELIERS: Who were the first ever backpackers to RECEIVE gifts upon leaving a youth hostel? Us, that's who. Still not sure why Bobby did this magnanimous act wi the chocolates- I'd like to think it was our donation of books, or the photos we supplied for the website, but let's face it, it was the six hunner quid that went into their coffers, largely as a result of no other takers for our Gobi tour, upping the per head price somewhat.

EXERCISE: You get up a mountain much faster on horseback. Watch out Arthur's Seat, we're coming through.

FELLOW TRAVELLERS: I'm digging a grave for myself here, but it was character-bulding to be known as 'Captain Shithead' for nine days in Northern Mongolia- cheers Andy, Alasdair and Minke; the card marathons were top-drawer.

SPORTS: The Mongol Rally finish line is at an English pub called Dave's Place in Ulaan Baatar; it's got a chequered flag and everything. We felt quite privileged seeing people arrive, until we realised that the Mongol Rally must have such a disparaty of durations that there are probably people finishing all year round.




September 15- Ulaan Baatar



Cheers for everything Narwaa- we will explain all this to you one day!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Saturday, September 13, 2008

September 13- Dalanzadgad



We were at Yolyn Am ice gorge the day- here's the photie.

Friday, September 12, 2008

September 12- Khangoryn Els



"Camel?" Andy investigates his favourite brand.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

September 11- Bayanzag



He's been asking for it, no kidding.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

September 10- Erdenedalai



First desert experience for this Gobi Geordie.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

September 9- Amarbayasgalant Monastery



"Hurry up- take it before the lamas see ye"

Monday, September 8, 2008

September 8- Road to Amarbayasgalant



Travelling in the lap of luxury.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Saturday, September 6, 2008

September 6- Khantai, Lake Khovsgal


Capp seethes that he wasn't photographed during his fine display of horsemanship earlier in the day.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Thursday, September 4, 2008

September 4- Moron

Yep, this is the town of Moron. He's not the only one that feels at home.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

September 2- Road to Tsetserleg


Everyone needs a Dashboard Andy.

Monday, September 1, 2008

September 1- Kharkhorin


"Ger it right roon ye!"